Madame
President, Secretary General, honourable members, ladies, gentlemen
and dear guests, on behalf of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia
and Herzegovina and for my own part, it is a pleasure for me to
address the Assembly today in my capacity as the Chairman of the
Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina. For the first time
in the history of Bosnia and Herzegovina our State is presiding
over the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. For us
in Bosnia and Herzegovina this is a wonderful opportunity to underline
the political will of our people, which is predicated on the values
of respect for human rights and dignity, and to promote our economic,
cultural and tourist potential.

One of the key features of our presidency is our intent to
promote Bosnia and Herzegovina as a credible partner of the European
community in European and international relations. I have no doubt
that the experience that Bosnia and Herzegovina has garnered over
the years and in responding to economic, political and social challenges
will be of decisive importance in facing up to a series of crises
for today’s world to overcome.

Our chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers is a significant
opportunity for us to emphasise the importance of south-eastern
Europe over the past two decades. I point out that we in the region
remain attached to our continuing efforts to adhere to European
values. That culminated in Croatia and Slovenia joining the European Union,
while other countries of south-eastern Europe continue to make efforts
to become part of the European family.

I am sure that you are all aware that the path trodden by
Bosnia and Herzegovina has not been an easy one and we have had
to overcome a number of difficulties. People in Bosnia and Herzegovina,
however, have always believed in the European path. We citizens
of Bosnia and Herzegovina feel that we are an integral part of Europe
and that there is no alternative to that European path.

I emphasise that point, because it indicates how determined
we are and how much we want to adhere to all the obligations that
we have entered into as we look to join the European Union, although
they are complex and difficult. That is why we are more than happy
to assume the chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the
Council of Europe, because we are fully aware that it is an additional
step that needs to be taken in furthering European integration.

We are fully aware of the broad range of competencies included
in the subjects on the agenda of the Parliamentary Assembly and
of the instruments available when coming to implement important
conventions and acts. Given our role in the chair of the Committee
of Ministers, we can expect the policies that we develop to be respected
fully, because we are now an important European party. A difference
with the past is that role as a credible player – we know that we
can play a significant and positive part in international and European relations.

Ladies and gentlemen, given all the problems that we face
today, I want to inform you of the positive and constructive atmosphere,
based on good politics, that has been present in Bosnia and Herzegovina
ever since the recent general elections, as a result of which the
economic processes there have been strengthened. I am delighted
to be able to tell you that the steps taken towards European harmonisation
and integration have continued, and we are continuing on the path
towards European integration. The main aim is to reach as soon as
we can the current status of the countries in our region. This is
why I am going to touch briefly on some important events, to flag
up the existence of political will and to point out what agreements
have been signed in our country for the fast-tracked adoption of
a series of laws and regulations, as a result of which our economic and
legal framework has been strengthened.

The first positive news is a German and British initiative
taken shortly after the Bosnia and Herzegovina elections held in
October 2014. This initiative defined a new approach to Bosnia and
Herzegovina, and as a result it was possible to launch a series
of political, economic and social reforms that were geared towards improving
the management of development and promoting sustainable growth.
At the beginning of 2015 the collegial Presidency of Bosnia and
Herzegovina and its Parliamentary Assembly, as well as the leaders
of all political parties, adopted and signed the declaration on
European orientation and the necessary reforms that Bosnia and Herzegovina
has to carry out on its path towards the European Union. As a result,
all institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina committed, in line with
their constitutional competencies, to incorporate in their action
plans all the reforms that needed to be taken to ensure that Bosnia
and Herzegovina could further progress towards joining the European
Union.

In June 2015, seven years after their signing, the agreements
of stabilisation and association were finally implemented. These
agreements put in place a very close partnership between the European
Union and Bosnia and Herzegovina. In July, the Bosnia and Herzegovina
economic reform agenda for the years 2015-18 was adopted, pinpointing
a number of reform measures that should be taken in the field of
public finance, business and employment, entailing the reform of
social security, the rule of law and the reform of public administration
and governance. A large number of strategies and a plethora of action
plans have been adopted – for instance, a strategy for combating
corruption, a strategy for combating terrorism and organised crime,
a strategy for the justice and legal sector, and a strategy for
combating violence against women and children and domestic violence
– as well as a series of other laws, particularly the adoption of
the new law on employment in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina,
and the alignment with European guidelines.

The implementation of the documents I have just mentioned
and a series of other documents and measures have already started
to yield positive results, to such an extent that all the most crucial
economic parameters in Bosnia and Herzegovina are improving. With
regard to the employment market, the number of people in employment
is increasing: it is 1.8% greater than it was in the same period
last year. The physical volume of industrial production has gone
up 2% this year compared with the same period in 2014. Gross income
from indirect taxation has gone up by 4.2% compared to the same
period last year. Compared with the same period last year, exports
have gone up by 4.4% and imports have gone up by 2.58%, while the
trade deficit has gone down by 5.54% compared with the same period
last year.

In the first six months of this year the number of tourists
went up by 25.7% and the number of nights that they stayed in our
country was 22.7% greater than in 2014. Exports of meat are increasing
significantly, and we expect the same situation to occur regarding
exports of milk and dairy products to the European Union following our
meeting of these conditions. At the same time the coal and steel
industries have continued to grow, which shows the high quality
and competitiveness of our country’s products.

Even with all the positive trends that I have just described,
though, we still face a number of issues concerning the very complex
political structure and the lengthy, complex procedures that need
to be implemented to achieve consensus between the different players.
We have set a number of priorities regarding our continuation on
the path towards European integration, economic development and
the rule of law. We are well aware of what we have to do, and we
think we can achieve that objective. I remind all of you, dear friends,
that we need your support to help us to make this a European success
story.

We should not assume that the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina
is perfect or ideal; we still have a series of challenges to meet
and we face a number of problems. These relate to the very complex
political structure that we have and the lengthy and complex procedures
that need to be put in place if consensus is to be achieved on a
number of different issues of fundamental importance for our priorities.
These priorities are economic development, the rule of law and continuing
our path towards European integration. We still have a lot of obligations
that need to be met in a very brief period, but I assure you that
we continue to be on the path of these reforms and that our wish
to overcome the obstacles is absolute.

I underline strongly once again that as far as we are concerned
there is no alternative to European integration, growth, employment,
the rule of law and combating corruption and all forms of extremism.
They are and will continue to be the guidelines for the workings
of the Council of Ministers and all Bosnia and Herzegovina institutions.

Ladies and gentlemen, please allow me as a representative
of a State that in its recent history has undergone exile, murder
and devastation to share with you my thoughts on the current events
in Europe. I hope I will be able to make an important contribution
to your debate on the subject of migrants. Perhaps I can also give
you a slightly different perspective on the issue of migration and
refugees, who are fleeing barbaric acts and trying to find a safe
haven. Four years ago we witnessed significant popular uprisings
that shocked the Arab world. These democratic uprisings were known
as the Arab spring and made one think of the 1989 popular uprisings in
the former countries of the Warsaw Pact. The Arab spring was a manifestation
of freedom, democracy, solidarity and the respect of universal human
rights, but events have not moved in the direction that was expected.
Today, instead of peace and prosperity, all we can see is devastating
conflict in the territory of Syria and Libya. At the same time,
instability and permanent violence are becoming a breeding ground
for the development of radicalisation and terrorism, which is completely
at odds with the modern moral values of civilisation. It is causing
civilians to be killed – including, worst of all, children – and
whole towns, as well as cultural and historic monuments, are being
destroyed. All this is creating an atmosphere of despair and a society
with no future.

As a result of that, we should not be surprised at the most
recent waves of refugees. I do not think that anyone here should
be shocked by the fact that these refugees want to flee the violence
and terror that is sweeping through their homes. We certainly should
not be surprised at their clear intention to stay, either temporarily
or permanently, on the territory of the European Union; it is because
of the values that represent the foundations of the European Union.
What are these values? They are respect for human dignity, freedom,
democracy, equality, the rule of law and the protection of human
rights, including the rights of minorities. These values are common
to all member States of the European society, which has pluralistic
qualities and qualities of non-discrimination, tolerance, justice,
solidarity and equality. As result, these refugees have made the
choice to come to the territory of the European Union.

However, the arrival of these refugees is causing chaos and
upheaval at an unprecedented level in the history of the European
Union. Metal barriers are being erected, railway lines have been
closed, and some responses from members of the European Union are
not the responses that we expected. Would someone among you who
has spent all their professional life defending European values
– I know there are a lot of you here – really have thought at one
time that the arrival of several hundred people would jeopardise
our very way of life? We are all fully aware that this will not
happen and that we are talking about an irrational, unjustified
fear, but the fear is such that it is resulting in a lack of solidarity
that can jeopardise our unity and stability. The problem can be
resolved only if we carry out creative actions that are commensurate
with the size of the problem. That is why, regardless of what those
activities are, we need to do them together and at the right time.

I am proud of the response by the Council of Europe, which
came on time and was predicated on European values. I very much
appreciate the letter that the Secretary General sent to the member
States of this Organisation in which he reminded them of their obligations
with regard to all people arriving in Europe. These obligations
are in keeping with the European Convention on Human Rights. This
is very important. National authorities need to look very closely
at how their police forces handle refugees to ensure that the obligations under
the Convention are strictly complied with. In the introduction to
his letter, the Secretary General mentions solidarity as a fundamental
European value that is being called into question and that represents
the sine qua non of solving the current crisis. I think we all agree
with this.

The President of the European Commission, Mr Jean-Claude Juncker,
in his annual speech on the state of the Union, put forward a plan
for a rapid, firm, universal solution to the European crisis linked
to refugees, including introducing compulsory quotas for taking
refugees for each member country of the European Union. The Council
of Europe should seriously take on board the possibility that this
plan could be extended to all 47 member States of this Organisation.
That would be a very positive gesture underlining our comprehension
of this situation and the importance of the solidarity that is needed.
If such a decision were taken, Bosnia-Herzegovina is willing to
play its role and face up to its responsibility, and to meet its
obligations in accordance with its abilities and capacities. I believe
strongly in the symbolic nature and value of this message that is coming
from a country that has aspirations to become a European Union member.

I am not sure when this crisis will be over, but it is clear
that these difficult times are going to become a real enemy. Any
form of improvisation with regard to housing refugees can no longer
be envisaged. That is why I call on all countries to show their
goodwill and provide help to States that are most directly affected
by the refugee crisis to ensure that the necessary conditions are
put in place to avoid a humanitarian disaster. We want to do this
before the cold days of winter are upon us. It will be important
for our efforts to be stepped up to ensure that we do not find ourselves
in a situation where we have to react to the consequences if our
actions have not been sufficient or efficient enough.

My State, Bosnia-Herzegovina, is not yet affected by the refugee
crisis. That said, we are monitoring the situation very closely
and acting in accordance with our operational action plan to be
adopted if there were to be a large number of refugees or migrants.
We have focused on two areas. The humanitarian side comprises the
provision of adequate housing, food, medical aid and clothing, as
well as ensuring basic hygienic and sanitary conditions. The second
component comprises safety and security measures, including gathering
data on the refugees and assessing and identifying which individuals
represent a terrorist threat, or any other threat that would endanger
the security of any State or region throughout Europe.

I want to be very clear in talking about my country’s position.
We are ready and willing to help because that is a moral obligation
that we have, but if the European Union closes its borders, and
if refugees find themselves closed up in Bosnia-Herzegovina or the
western Balkan countries, we will be limited in terms of our logistical and
financial capacities. I remind you that Bosnia-Herzegovina is having
to face up to having thousands of displaced persons within its country
as one of the consequences of the war in the 1990s. If the borders
of the European Union remain open, Bosnia-Herzegovina will have
no difficulties in dealing with the regular transit of refugees.
It would do this by creating appropriate centres through which the
transport of refugees can be organised towards their preferred destination.
I am not expecting us to have a significant number of asylum requests
in Bosnia-Herzegovina because, from the looks of things, our country
is clearly a transit country for refugees and is not seen as a destination
country.

I think that this problem can be resolved rapidly and successfully
if organised efforts and solidarity are there, but if we want to
come up with a long-lasting solution we need to tackle the problem
at its root cause by looking at the refugees’ countries of origin.
I am well aware of the limited possibilities that the Council of
Europe has in terms of action, but given the large number of conventions,
bodies of experts and monitoring mechanisms that are at our disposal,
we can make an important contribution to peace and stability in
these neighbouring countries.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the administrative
bodies of the Council of Europe development Bank, which have provided
important funding and subsidies for the member countries affected
by the crisis linked to refugees. If Bosnia-Herzegovina were to
become concerned by the current refugee situation, then of course
it is quite possible that we will be making a request for these
funds.

The trafficking of human beings is a very important matter
that we have had to face up to in Bosnia-Herzegovina as well. In
recent times we have managed to make some significant headway in
resolving it, but in the light of current refugee crisis that has
affected the western Balkans, we fear that the difficulties successfully
resolved may well emerge once again. Abuse of refugees in such a
hopeless situation by human traffickers and smugglers is one of
the worst crimes that can occur and it has to be clamped down on
very strongly. We need to do what we can to find the most efficient
solution to this; otherwise things will only get worse. The matter
will shortly be addressed as one of the main subjects in the Committee
of Ministers in the Parliamentary Assembly and in the Congress.
In the light of the current new circumstances, it is highly likely
that amendments to conventions, recommendations and decisions will
need to be made. I hope that the experts concerned will act in due
course to help prevent this problem from escalating. Bosnia-Herzegovina,
as a country that is following the issue very closely, will continue
to monitor the situation in its own country but also in the context
of the Council of Europe. I hope that the other member States, particularly
those that share our concerns, will act in a similar fashion.

Another important question affecting our society is terrorism.
Bosnia and Herzegovina supports the Council of Europe’s action plan
to combat radicalism and terrorism, as well as the Additional Protocol
to the Council of Europe Convention on the Prevention of Terrorism,
which concerns foreign terrorist fighters. The Chair of the Committee
of Ministers and the Foreign Minister of Bosnia and Herzegovina
has already informed you that through the Council of Europe chairmanship
held by Bosnia and Herzegovina, and following intense consultations
with other member States, we have managed to reach a consensus and
have pinpointed a date for the signing of the protocol. It will
take place on 22 October 2015 in Riga, Latvia, and I take this opportunity to
invite all member States to attend the signing ceremony, which will
be a very important one.

In parallel with the authorisation of legal instruments, the
Council of Europe should step up its very effective efforts to combat
hate, intolerance and radicalisation. The main message that we should
convey is that a society predicated on the rule of law, the equality
of rights and the acceptance of human rights and diversity can be
a prosperous and healthy one. As well as the alliance of parliamentarians
against hate speech, there is the work carried out on discrimination
in Europe, radicalisation, terrorism, cybercrime and the refugee
crisis, which are all things that we need to act on in good time.
I congratulate you all for your work on that.

Finally, I praise the decision that has been taken to create
a partnership for democracy with our neighbouring countries. That
is a very important factor not only in consolidating democratic
societies, but in stepping up activities on questions that are in
our common interest and that are about choosing the right models
and mechanisms to resolve the problems that we all face. Thank you
for your attention and patience, ladies and gentlemen.

Thank you,
Mr Zvizdić. I will now open the floor to the representatives of
the political groups. I call Ms Durrieu on behalf of the Socialist
Group.

Ms DURRIEU (France) (interpretation)

I remind you in
passing that I was a rapporteur on the Dayton Accords for this Assembly.
You have just reminded us of the importance of 20 years of peace
and stability in the Balkans which, in turn, is vital for peace
in Europe. You, President, have worked very hard on that. A number
of us were in Sarajevo a short while ago and the political process
does not yet appear to have gained new dynamism. Is not there need
to amend the constitution, and is the High Representative not an
obstacle to the engagement of people, particularly young people?

The PRESIDENT (interpretation)

Shall we
group the questions or would you like to answer immediately, Mr Zvizdić?
Okay, you have the floor.

Mr Zvizdić, President of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Thank
you for your question and for stating that the processes in Bosnia
and Herzegovina are running in a positive direction. That is very important
for us, because we want to implement our three key priorities: the
European path, the development of the economy and the rule of law.

Your question is closely linked to the Office of the High
Representative and to the fulfilment of clear requirements by the
Peace Implementation Council. Colloquially, we refer to those requirements
as “5+2”. When those requirements have been fully met and when Bosnia
and Herzegovina is fully capable of taking over all the responsibilities
that currently rest with the High Representative, there will be
no need for the High Representative to be in Bosnia and Herzegovina,
because through our institutions – parliament and other bodies –
we will be able to make decisions that currently, as part of the
Bonn powers and other powers that the High Representative has, rest
with the Office of the High Representative. Over the past 10 years,
Bosnia and Herzegovina has made significant progress on institutional
strengthening. We have been working towards the implementation of
those 5+2 requirements and once they are fully implemented, Bosnia
and Herzegovina will have full powers to manage all the processes
at the executive and legislative level of authority.

Mr VAREIKIS (Lithuania)

As you know,
Chairman, many problems in Bosnia and Herzegovina are related to
education, language, culture and heritage matters, and, at a State
level, the country has no ministry of education or ministry of culture.
What is your opinion on that? Perhaps it is necessary to change
these things quickly.

Mr Zvizdić, President of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Any
change in Bosnia and Herzegovina that would lead to changing constitutions
at all levels of government would require serious preparation, serious
analysis and long procedures. You are right that there is no ministry
of education or ministry of culture at a State level, but there
is a ministry that is inter alia responsible for these areas in
a co-ordinating role. In the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina,
the responsibilities for education and culture rest with cantons.
In the Republika Srpska, the government of the Republika Sprksa
is responsible for those areas.

In future, the education and culture sectors need to be based
on modern priniciples, prevailing in the European Union, which have
to be based on the transfer of knowledge and experience, gaining
skills, enabling young people to use skills, the compatibility of
professions in the labour market and further improvement of the Bologna
Process, as well as the respect of fundamental human rights—ethnic,
national, cultural and linguistic characteristics and rights that
any citizen of the country is entitled to. Of course, such ministries
being established in Bosnia and Herzegovina requires a number of
procedures to be taken. Some are related to constitutional amendments,
and as you know, constitutional amendments in Bosnia and Herzegovina
require a lot of time and patience, as well as consensus and readiness
to achieve an internal dialogue on such matters. I am sure that
the time will come for us to raise these issues and to implement
reform in those two important sectors in a serious manner. In the
mean time, we will try to improve the existing systems as much as
we can, just as we have over the past six or seven years. I have
to say that we have seen progress in developing the sectors of culture,
sport and education in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Ms PALLARÉS CORTÉS (Andorra)

Aside from maintaining
technical divisions, Dayton is keeping alive an economically unsustainable
administrative system. Moreover, it sometimes seems that politicians
in your country worry more about political protest than about how
to reactivate your economy and make it more effective. Do you have
any specific plans to reduce your public expenses and to favour
the private sector, to try to give more opportunities to new generations?

Mr Zvizdić, President of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina (interpretation)

Thank
you for your question. As I mentioned, a few months ago we adopted
a very important document, the economic reform agenda, which defines
a number of measures and activities aimed at improving the business
environment, taking advantage of our natural resources, developing
SMEs and reforming the entire public sector, with a special focus
on job creation for young people so that they remain in Bosnia and
Herzegovina. We look to rationalise public spending. In the public
sector we have imposed a ban on employment and a wages freeze, and
all other funds and budgets in the sector are funnelled towards
providing favourable loans and enabling young people to start their
own businesses, particularly SMEs, thus creating a better business
environment and increasing employment in the country.

All that, of course, requires an improved business environment
and amendments to labour legislation. We have already started that
process. A new labour act has been adopted in one of the entities,
namely the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and will soon be
adopted in the other, the Republika Srpska. In Bosnia and Herzegovina,
we have already improved the parameters that measure the quality
of business, and some indicators show that the entrepreneurship
and economic potential of the country is increasing, especially among
young people, who are opening up businesses and therefore leaving
the country in reduced numbers.

Mr BINLEY (United Kingdom)

Mr Chairman,
you mentioned your country’s strategies for eradicating corruption.
Could you tell me what specific steps your country is taking to
eradicate corruption in relation to employment opportunities in
public services, thus bringing to an end the practice of bribery
in respect of such employment, which is so harmful, especially to
young people?

Mr Zvizdić, President of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina (interpretation)

We
in Bosnia and Herzegovina are aware of all the negative consequences
of corruption. There is no difference whatsoever between Bosnia and
Herzegovina and any other country in the region, in the European
Union or elsewhere in the world in that regard. Corruption is a
negative phenomenon which has a devastating effect on countries,
and for that reason Bosnia and Herzegovina has been focused on effectively
combating it. At entity level we have established the anti-corruption
agency, and after sharing the experience and skills of our colleagues
from Europe we established procedures to report corruption and to
provide constant monitoring in our institutions. Three months ago,
we adopted a strategy and action plan to combat corruption from
2015 to 2020. The strategy will be cascaded down to lower levels
of government, so that through synergy between State-level, entity-level, canton-level
and municipal-level institutions we can act in unison and prevent
corruption in public institutions. The further reform of public
administration will contribute to that process, as will administrative
capacity-building and training civil servants to better respond
to the needs of institutions and citizens within legally specified
time limits and procedures without any corrupt acts.

Of course, we are affected by corruption in just the same
way as the rest of the region or indeed the rest of the world, but
let me assure you that we are working very hard to fight corruption
and to prosecute all reported cases. We also try to cut off corruption
at its source by preventing corrupt acts by those who are asked
to do their jobs in an effective and professional manner. We will
continue our efforts, which have already produced positive results.
Our activities will increase, and you will see that the administration
of Bosnia and Herzegovina is working more effectively, with higher
professionalism and more respect for the law.

THE PRESIDENT

We will
now take the last question because unfortunately we do not have
time to call every speaker on the list. I call Mr Kox on behalf
of the Group of the Unified European Left.

Mr KOX (Netherlands)

Thank you
for your news from your beautiful country, including the fact that
you now have a functioning government and a constructive political
atmosphere. However, when we observed your elections last year,
we mentioned in our statement that we had noticed the public’s growing
mistrust in the functioning of democratic institutions. We even
stated that that might, in the long run, threaten the stability
of the country because without public trust in your institutions
the country cannot function. Could you tell us how you think the
Government and the political class could restore that much-needed
public trust?

Mr Zvizdić, President of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina (interpretation)

I
think we can regain public trust in the way that the Council of
Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina is currently doing: by consistent,
persistent and credible implementation of a reform plan for European
integration, economic development and the rule of law, and by more
clearly demonstrating the existence of positive political will that
will enable internal agreements and consensus on the most important
priorities for the European and economic development of Bosnia and
Herzegovina. The fact that the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and
Herzegovina has approved more than 800 documents unanimously over
the past five months demonstrates the existence of sufficient political will
to agree on issues important to Bosnia and Herzegovina without encroaching
on the responsibilities of other entities or levels of government.

This approach will restore public trust in the institutions
of Bosnia and Herzegovina. I am certain that we will implement all
the reforms and strategies that I have mentioned and show seriousness,
consistency and persistence in our work. When real-life effects
are shown in a strengthened economy, more competitive products or
job creation, I am sure that citizens will trust the government
more than before. We have shown several examples already. We have
managed to adopt the economic agenda along with other levels of government;
we have ensured the export of agricultural produce from Bosnia and
Herzegovina, increasing those exports by 220%; over the past eight
months, 7 000 new jobs have been created in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The economic effects are already visible.

We have also speeded up European integration activities. We
are fulfilling our obligations in a credible manner, and we expect
that by the end of this year or early next year, we will be able
to apply for membership. We expect the activation of a membership
action plan with NATO as one of the next steps toward NATO membership
for Bosnia and Herzegovina. All these developments speak to stability
in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the rule of law and a business environment
that will definitely attract domestic and, especially importantly, foreign
investors.

THE PRESIDENT

Thank you,
Mr Zvizdić, for answering these questions. I wish you good luck
for the rest of your presidency. We now have the pleasure of going
to an exhibition of the Ars Aevi project. I invite all colleagues
to follow us to the inauguration. I thank the interpreters for allowing
us to go beyond our usual schedule.